Memories
Are you a friend, neighbor, or colleague and have a story to share, but aren't sure where to put it? Here is a place to share your stories. Carol loved stories of all kinds, and others who knew her would enjoy hearing yours. Just click on the "Comment" section, and be sure to include your name at the end. If you have photos, either digital or other, you can send them to me with your return address and I can include them. I promise to return them to you. Carla Weigel
posted by Carla Weigel @ 4:23 PM
3 Comments:
At 10:24 AM,
Anonymous said…
I only knew Carol & Rand through Antique shows & Flea markets, although after many years of talking to both of them about tire ashtrays & Goofus glass, I feel that I knew Carol & Rand quite well. I knew that Carol was ill, but had no idea how ill she really was, as she always seemed up, bubbly and cheerful, even when she must not have felt well. Carol will be missed by many in the Antique field, not just because she brightened many a gloomy day, but just talking to her lifted my spirits, & I always looked for her to come by with a cheerful conversation. A lovely Lady is now resting with the Angels, she will be missed, I only wish I could have known her better! Be strong, Rand, and Thank you for allowing me to meet Carol. Mike Matterson
At 2:16 PM,
Anonymous said…
Our Friend Carol
We first met at a local Town Meeting. I remember wondering who she was, this long haired woman with intense dark eyes… When it came time for the residents to speak, she did. She said it should be easier for new people in the community to learn about local government; she told the board that they should try harder to communicate and to encourage citizen participation.
The board had their answer ready. They explained how and where the meeting notes were published. I think they expected that to be the end of the discussion... little did they know! This woman had a lot more to say on the subject of communication, and she was determined to share it.
I remember thinking “Who is this person? We need more passionate people like her, coming to our meetings.” So I introduced myself. It turns out she was Carol Steimer-Bailey. And the man sitting next to her was Rand Bailey, her equally passionate if a bit more reserved husband.
We were surprised to find out that the Baileys were our neighbors. They had bought one of the recently built houses, just north of our woods. We liked our privacy, and I had viewed new developments in our township with contempt. New neighbors, I figured, would just make the neighborhood more crowded and less desirable. Not until meeting Carol and Rand did I realize that having new neighbors could be a good thing.
It wasn’t long before we - my wife Sonya, our son Randy and I - were visiting the Baileys and vice-versa. They introduced us to their friends the Deustermans, also new neighbors. It was like being in a new family. Saturday mornings we’d all go out to breakfast at a local cafe. We’d have these animated conversations about everything from popular science to cars, cows and politics.
It was obvious from those conversations that Carol knew a lot about the world. No surprise, given her amazing personal history: from her childhood on the farm, to her days as a nurse, and on to her career as a teacher and racing photographer. She welcomed us to converse but also demanded our attention; she spoke with intelligence and purpose.
We and the Baileys bartered our talents and goods with each other. I planted trees for them and worked on their pole building. Rand did some tractor work for us. Carol gave Sonya and me pointers on computer graphics and publishing software. Sonya brought Carol some favorite teas and gave her foot massages. We gave the Baileys home-made pickles; they gave us home-grown house plants. We traded the hosting of meals between our two home places.
Randy Lenarz would spend time at the Bailey’s when we needed a sitter and to help out with their yard work. Often he would get into conversations with Carol, and I know he appreciated the level of respect she gave him. She helped to reinforce those messages every parent should want their child to hear - about making a good effort and being accountable. Carol was a great mentor; she nurtured but still expected the best in people.
Another thing we’d do with the Bailey’s was going out and walking our gardens and woods. Carol would gleefully pick up pretty stones and pocket them for her collection. Her love of adventure and her quest to keep learning made her fun to be with.
Carol was an enthusiastic storyteller. Not in the fictitious sense; she spoke from her own knowledge and experience. Whether speaking from the perspective of a child, a parent, a spouse, a teacher, or a world citizen, Carol always had something interesting to say. She was very easy to listen to.
And she knew people. Out of our casual conversations would come the names of celebrities that she had known or met: Paul Newman, Richard Petty … Kofi Annan. Carol didn’t seem to be into fame and public show; rather I think she enjoyed people for their personalities. We could see that in her photography too; her photos of human subjects seemed to capture the real person. She and Rand had this ability to create a family atmosphere among their circles of friends.
Carol came down with her illness not long after we first met her. But she was a person who embraced life and life’s challenges. Even through the pain and hardship of cancer treatments, she lived with grace and courage. And we lament that our time with her was so short.
We miss Carol, but we will remember her. We will never forget her great sense of humor, her delightful musical laugh and her gorgeous smile. As a human being, Carol shone, and for us she still shines.
John, Sonya and Randy Lenarz
At 11:21 AM,
Anonymous said…
Taken from "Blast from the Past".
Recently the sport of drag racing and MDRA lost a true friend, Carol Steimer Bailey who was called home by God after a long struggle with breast cancer. Without question she was one of the most creative and expert photographers to ever aim her lens at a drag race vehicle, racer, or racing family. Many if not most of the BIR racers have on their walls photos by Carol.
She was one of the 20 original BIR crew members in 1977. In my years as an announcer at BIR, I can remember many times seeing Carol positioning herself near the starting line so she could be certain to get a good shot of a racer in action (wheelstands were her specialty) as well as were photos that included racers themselves and their families. Carol put together really great slide shows featuring her photos that were feature attrations at many BIR and MDRA banquets. I can remember in particular one slide in her show of my sweet wife Mary and me up in the BIR tower with my mic in hand and Mary's always present beautiful smile. Oohhh, how I wish I could get a copy of that photo.
Talk about a hard worker - when our original BIR crew built the first grandstands at BIR (relocated from the Twin City Dragstrip), Carol did as much if not more of the hard work than any of the guys. Always a big smile on her face to cheer those around her, Carol spread good will and cheer throughout the BIR pit area and kept the starting line crew smiling also! We know she's in a better place now where pain is not allowed but we still are gonna miss her smile and good cheer. Carol is survived by her daughter Shanda, a large part of Carol's life. I remember once at a race at Interstate Dragways near Fargo, Carol was taking photos near the starting line and took off running toward the track owner's home. "I've gotta call my baby and see how she's doing" she said as she ran by the tower.
Another large love in Carol's life was her husband Rand Bailey (one of the best custom car painters in the business). I think God for allowing me to be a small part in Carol's life. Carol was also a big part of the lives of the students she taught at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie. God bless ya, Carol. We're gonna miss ya big time!
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